Lunenburg vigil condemns racial slur

Monday

Nov 18, 2013 at 6:00 AMNov 18, 2013 at 2:34 PM

Donna Boynton, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LUNENBURG — Hundreds of residents crowded the town Common Sunday night, vowing with candles in hand not to let an alleged hate crime against a freshman football player define their community. Rather, they pledged to use it as an opportunity to champion tolerance and inclusion.

Town officials said they are committed to finding those who spray-painted a slur-laden statement on Isaac A. Phillip's Chase Road home and hold them accountable.

"The individual or individuals who violated our community's core values will be held accountable," said School Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes. "Being here as one, saying no to hatred and no to intolerance, reveals our true character."

In the days since the Phillips family home was vandalized with the phrase "Knights don't need n-----!" residents said they have been struggling with a torrent of emotion — anger, disappointment, disgust, heartbreak and sympathy.

Isaac's father, Anthony J. Phillips, is calling for the high school football coaches to step down for allowing players to allegedly haze his son for weeks, saying their lack of discipline led to the racist graffiti on their home.

The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement yesterday condemning the hate crime.

"This brazen attack on the home of a high school football player warrants everyone's condemnation," said Robert Trestan, ADL regional director. "All of us should be disturbed by this case. Our children retreat to their homes every day because of the safety it offers. Too often, hate crimes shatter our communities' sense of safety. This case is indicative of how school bullying can quickly escalate to a hate crime and civil rights violations, making it a community-wide concern. All of us have a role to play in providing comfort and being clear that these actions are completely unacceptable."

Isaac, an eighth-grader, plays football on Lunenburg High School's freshman and junior varsity football teams, the Blue Knights. The incident is being investigated by the local police department, which has also notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney's office.

Accompanied by his parents, Isaac spoke briefly at the vigil, saying he was disgusted by what had been done to his family.

"My great-grandfather was an important part of Lunenburg football and I always wanted to be a Blue Knight. I don't know who to trust or why my coaches haven't reached out to me. Coaches are supposed to be role models. This is a sad day to be a Blue Knight," he said.

Ms. Calmes and High School Principal Brian Spadafino spoke of their shock and embarrassment at the allegations, and reiterated that the school district is committed to building a community of values, tolerance and respect.

As a result of the incident, Friday night's football game against Oakmont Regional High School was canceled, and future games could be in jeopardy.

"This behavior will not be tolerated," Mr. Spadafino said.

It was a sentiment echoed by student representatives from the Lady Knights, the Gay-Straight Alliance, student government and other students who spoke eloquently against the hateful graffiti.

While members of the freshman, junior varsity and varsity footballs teams attended the vigil in their blue and white team jerseys, it did not appear that any of the coaches were in attendance. No one representing the football program spoke during the vigil.

"Our team is a family and we are here to stand by each other, no matter what," said Bobby Leon, a sophomore varsity linebacker who stood with his teammates.

Before the start of the vigil, the community was invited to leave their painted hand-prints on a "Many Hands, One Community" banner that was organized by Girl Scout Troop 11185. Members of the football team were among those who left multicolored interlocking handprints on the banner.

"This gives the community the opportunity to show solidarity, and it is a great way for the Girl Scouts to lead by example," said Christie Blake, co-leader of Troop 11185, which is mostly made up of fourth-grade girls. "At the fourth-grade level, it is hard for them to understand — even at an adult level it is hard to understand — why someone would want to hurt another person."

Maria Handy has lived her entire life in Lunenburg and said this is the type of thing that does not happen in her town.

"I have had a pit in my stomach since I heard about this," said Ms. Handy, who has young children of her own.

Mary Beth Paris said she hoped that the vigil would bring comfort to the Phillips family, and that the bad actions of a few are overshadowed by a the strong show of support.

Loree Nauman knows the Phillips family personally. As the mother of two special needs children, she said, she knows what it is like when cruel things are said about your children.

Olivia Gilmore and Heather Hunt, both 15-year-old students at Lunenburg High School, said they were shocked and disappointed that this was directed at a fellow student, allegedly committed by other students.

"This does not represent who we are as a community," Olivia said. "There needs to be consequences for the people who did this."

Tom Alonzo, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, urged those who vandalized the Phillips home to come forward.

"The residents of Lunenburg unequivocally reject this act of hate," Mr. Alonzo said. "We pledge that this type of act cannot and will not ever be tolerated or ignored."

State Rep. Jennifer Benson, a Lunenburg resident, said the show of support last night is what Lunenburg is all about.

"Please bring back home what you see here tonight," Ms. Benson said. "This is hope. This is love. This is what Lunenburg is about."

Contact Donna Boynton at Donna.Boynton@telegram.com or follow her on Twitter @DonnaBoyntonTG